Lance Corporal John Murtagh

[OBrien1]

I have previously asked about this man, a great grandfather, Lance Corporal John Murtagh in the British Army in Dublin.
He was born in Dublin in September 1876.
I have been told by his Grandson, he had served in India and had received medals also.
None of which are in the family.
He then became an army reservist.

He went on to work in Elvery sports in Dublin, I believe the army helped get jobs like this for ex soldiers.

We are looking for his army records but can't seem to find them on find my past.
I had a live chat with someone in the British archives and they said not all records are available.

Has anybody hit this stumbling block also ?

Thank You.

[Jebber]

If you are talking about WW1 records, almost 70% of them were lost in a fire in WW2.

[OBrien1]

Thank you.
Sad to hear that.

No he would have been an army reservist by then.

Regards

[MaxD]

This:
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/british-army-soldiers-up-to-1913/

is definitive as far as records go.  Note paragraph 2.  In essence, unless an identifiable record is to be found on line, and that doesn't appear to be the case, you need to know more than just that he was in the army and even then the problem is telling one John Murtagh from another.

MaxD

[OBrien1]

Cheers Max.
I have a few records on Ancestry here.
I cant distinguish if it is him or not.
The few records of John Murtagh service in India, the time frame would match and make him about 21 or 22.
If I can get them on find my past it might show his address and next of kin etc..
Just signed up so I will have a look through.

Thanks Again

[ShaunJ]

This is the only possibility I can see for a J Murtagh in the India medal rolls: 

Pte J Murtagh 4974, 2nd RIR,  India medal 1897-8 - with clasps for Punjab Frontier and Samana

His discharge papers seem not to have survived.

[OBrien1]

Thank you Shaun.

I have that number wrote in my hand here too !

Want to follow that one up cheers Pal